Base for washing machines



June 1, 1965 B. A. MARTIN ETAL BASE FOR WASHING MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed May 11. 1962 INvENToR.

N MART/N BxWurmm H. RAssAcfr BERT/CE A.

l VMM-Jur@ ATTORNEYS June 1, 1955 B. A. MARTIN r-:TAL 3,185,427

4 BASE FOR WASHING MACHINES Filed May ll, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 esj use ses-H 63 INVENTORS. BERT/CE A. MAR 77N BVOLKEI? WH. RASSBCH ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,186,427 BASE FR WASHENG It/IACHENES Bertie-e A. Martin, enver, and Weiher W. H. Rasshach, Englewood, Coto., assiguors to Sturdi Manufacturing Co., Denver, Coin., a corporation of (liderado Fiied May il, 1962, Ser. No. 194,145 7 Staines. (Si. 137-343) This invention relates to a support or base, and more particularly to a support or base adapted to support a plurality of automatic washing machines.

With the advent of automatic laundries, which provide a large number of automatic washers to serve a great many customers at one time, the problem of adequate provision for servicing the machines, as well as providing `suitable electrical connections and plumbing outlets, has become increasingly great. The plumbing ,and electrical wirinfy necessary to operate a large number of washers takes up a considerable space and often invloves expensive and complicated arrangements. Furthermore, it is desirable to hide or conceal the plumbing and electrical outlets, not only so that the appearance of the establishment will be neat and clean, but also so that the patrons i will not be likely o tamper with these connections.

Previously, it has been customary to mount most of the plumbing and electrical connections on or in a wall, but this is inconvenient because it is necessary to pull a machine to be serviced out from the wall. lf the servicing must be done during customer hours, and this is the case when such establishments are open 24 hours a day, the machine being serviced presents an unsightly appearance, because of the necessity for moving it away from the wall. Otten, this results in positioning the washer to be repaired in front of a washer which is otherwise usable because of space limitationathereby making it `impossible for the patrons to use one or more of the machines, in addition to the one being serviced. Of course, this condition results in a loss of income to the proprietor, since several of the machines may not be available during the servicing time, in other establishments, the machines are set out from the wall, so that the plumbing and electrical connections may be run inside the room but behind the machines, but this arrangement has the same disadvantages as the previous'arrangemeut and, in addition, increases the amount of space occupied by the plumbing and electrical connections. In addition, the problem of drainage Vof discharged liquids from the washers is acute, since access to the drainage connections is desirable, for cleaning and servicing purposes. Also, it is unduly expensive to connect each =washer with a drain connection to a sewer line. Thus, the number of machines which may be placed ina given door area is limited because of the space occupied by the plumbing and electrical connections, resulting in a decreased income from a given door area.

Among the objects of this 'invention are to provide a base for automatic washers which is adapted to support a plurality of washers; to provide such a base on which each washer may be individually mounted; to provide such a base in which all of the plumbing connections entend substantially under the washers; to provideV such a base which also comprises a drain pan; to provide such a base for automatic washers which facilitates Vservicing the washers; to provide such a base for automatic washers which has self-contained plumbing connections; to provide such a base having plumbing which is individually controlled for each washer; to provide such a base for automatic washers in which an individual electrical outlet is provided for each washer; to provide such a base for automatic washers, two of which may support rows `of washers placed back to back, but with a suflicient distance between for servicing; and to provide such a base for automatic washers which is simple in construction yet highly efficient in operation.

Additional objects and the novel features of this invention will become apparent from the description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

iFIG. l is a condensed, top plan view of a base for automatic washers constructed in accordance with this invention and with several washing machines shown in phantom outline;

FIG. 2 is a condensed rear elevation of the base of fFIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a condensed end elevation of two bases for automatic washers, as viewed from the right in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary vertical section, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2, particularly showing the drain pan construction.

In accordance with this invention, a base B is adapted to support a plurality of automatic washers W, shown in phantom outline in FIGS. 1 and 2. Base B may be extended to any desired length to accommodate any number of washers and conveniently comprises end panels 10 and 11, which are joined by an inwardly inclined front wall 1-2 which extends downwardly from the top of base B. An inwardly spaced, lower vertical front wall 14 also extends between end panels 11 and 12, being attached thereto in a suitable manner, as by welding, and is provided, as in FIG. 4, with an inturned bottom flange 15, which rests on the floor, and an outwardly extending upper ange 16, which terminates in an upturned flange 17 conveniently welded to the lower edge of front wall `12 on the inside. 4A similar, inwardly spaced, vertical rear wall 18 extends between end panels 1) and 11, being attached thereto in a suitable manner, as by welding, and is provided with an inturned, bottom flange 19, which rests on the floor, and an upper, outwardly extending lip 20. Advantageously, mounting flanges 21 may be provided at each end for mounting base B on the floor, as by bolts extending through holes 22. Conveniently, each end panel 10 and 1i is provided with an inwardly extending ledge 23, as at the vertical position of lianges 16 and 2t), and an inwardly spaced, lower portion 24, to which lower front wall 14 and lower rear wall i8 are attached and from which mounting lianges 21 extend. Flanges 21 may, of course, be formed as angles of heavier gage stock and welded to the respective portion 24.

A drain pan D is mounted within the base, having a bottom 25 which is obtusely angled and vertical sides 26 and 27, to form a trough, so that water discharged from the washers will flow along the same to a conveniently elbow shaped drain connection 28, disposed beneath and at an opening in bottom 25 of drain pan D at one end thereof, as in FIGS. 1 and 4, and facing to the rear. Conveniently, the drain pan D slopes downwardly slightly toward drain connection 28, to facilitate disposal of the wash water. If desired, the drain connection may be located centrally of the drain pan and the drain pan siope downwardly thereto from each end, -or the drain connection may be placed at any other suitable position. As in FIG. 4, sides 26 and 27 of drain pan D are conveniently integral with bottom 25 and have integral, outwardly and upwardly inclined flanges 29 and 30, respectively, at their upper edges which, if necessary, deflect splashed water discharged from the washers down into the bottom of the drain pan. Flange 29 terminates in an upturned lip or rim 31 and flange 30 terminates in a similar upturned lip or rim 32, while front wall 12 is conveniently provided with a downwardly turned lip 33 for attaching the drain pan to rim 31, as by welding.

Conveniently, drain pan D is supported by a series of rods 34, each formed to an inverted V-shape, as in FIG. 2,

susana? or the rods 34 may be formed in a sinuous shape. The upper portions of rods 34 are conveniently welded to the outside of the vertical sides 26 and 27 of the drain pan D, while the lower portions of rods 3ft are welded to front wall 14 and back wall 1S, on the inside. Thus, when the washers are mounted above drain pan D, the drain hose of each washer, if at the rear, may extend between the bottom of the washer and lip 32 so that the water is directed onto flange 30 and down into the drain pan. If the drain outlet of the washer is more centrally located, the water may be discharged directly against bottom 25. The drain water passing into discharge connection 23 may be removed through a drain pipe connected thereto, as by a sweat joint, threaded connection, or the like. As in FIG. 4, drain connection 28 is conveniently provided with an upper flange 35 and connected to the drain pan D by bolts 36, with a gasket 37 interposed. As will be evident, the position of drain connection V28 may be reversed, to face the opposite side. Thus, by providing a reversible drain connection 2S, the drain pan D is reversible in the base, since for some installations it may be desirable to place the drain conneccold water pipe 5l is also attached to bars 47, as by means of pipe brackets 53. The inner ends of hot water pipe 45 and cold water pipe 51 are connected to hot and cold water supply lines adjacent drain connection 28, so that all plumbing connections to the base may be made at the same end. Conveniently, the hot and cold water supply lines extend through the floor, inside the base, but, as will be evident from FlG. 4, there is more than sufficient room to make these connections.

Bar 47, as in FIG. 4, extends upwardly, then outwardly just above hot water return pipe 49 and is provided with -an upwardly extending leg 55, to which the lower end of Ia standard 56 is attached, as by a bolt S7,

and stabilized by connection to the upper edge of lip tion a-t the opposite end lof the base from that shown, as

in the case of the base B at the left in FIG. 3.

Conveniently, the washers W are supported on a plurality of spaced pads 39 and 39', which may be formed by splitting I-beams, cutting to the desired length and welding the web portion 4t) to vertical front and rear walls 26 and 27 of the drain pan. As in FIG. l, pads 39 are spaced longitudinally along each side of the drain pan and are provided with inner holes 4l for bolts which mount the washers in fixed position. As will be evident, two washers W may be attached to each pad 39, while end pads 39 are shorter for attachment of .the corre-V sponding washer at each end of the row. As in FIG. 4, the inclination of llanges 29 and 30 conveniently corresponds to the inclination of the underside of the ilange of the -beam from which pads 39 and 39 are produced, so that the outer flanges of the pads rest on anges 29 and 30 of the drain pan. Pads39 and 39' may be provided with one or more outer holes 42 for welding to anges 29 and 30, respectively, or for receiving studs for attachment of washers whose hold-down bolts do not correspond to the position of the holes 4l. In the event the washers are provided with hold down bolts disposed inwardly from the pads, a bridging bar may be placed between opposed pads, with the ends thereof beneath the pads, and the hold-down bolts attached to the bridging bars.

Conveniently, a hot water pipe 45 extends along the rear of base B below ilange Si), as in FIGS. 2 and 4, and is mounted on the rear side of rods 34, as by clamping brackets 46 attached to spaced angular bars 47, the lower ends of which are conveniently attached, as by welding, to the inside of lower rear wall 18. Hot water pipe 45 is provided with a plurality of valves 48, spaced therealong for attaching the hot water hose from each automatic In such instances, the leveling legs for the i Y washers would normally rest on the pads 39.

washer to the line so that hot water may be supplied to i *i the washers as needed. Advantageously, the end of hot water pipe 45 is connected to a smaller return pipe 49, similarly mounted at the rear side of rods 34, as by brackets Sil attached to bars 47, so that a small amount of hot water circulates continuously through pipe 45, to assure that hot water is available at all times at each washer. therwise, the normally hot water would become cold from standing in pipe 45 when the washers are not in use. This is particularly true with respect to the washers farthest from the source of hot water, wherein the use of water by the other washers would not cause water to circulate through the portion of the ho-t water pipe extending to these washers. Similarly, a cold water pipe 5l, disposed below hot water pipe 45, is provided witha plurality of spaced valves 52, adapted to be attached to the cold water hose of each washer. Advantageously,

32., as by a bolt 5S connected to clamp 59 engaging lip 322. Standards 56, as in FIG. 2, at their upper ends support la horizontal electrical raceway 6@ having a plurality of electrical outlets 6l spaced therealong, to provide an electrical connection K:tor each of the washers. Conveniently, the hot and cold water valves and the electrical outlets are spaced in pairs approximately between the washers, so that a pair of washers may be connected at about the same point. Raceway 60 extends to a fuse or circuit breaker box 62, which is conveniently mounted on the upper end of an electrical conduit 63 attached to wall l@ of base B by a pair of spaced brackets 64, as in FIGS. 2 and 3. Thus, the electrical raceway extends parallel to and above the water pipes, providing a cornpact and efiicent arrangement. Also, the electrical cable which extends upwardly through conduit 63 to box 62 is, of course, at the same end of the base as the plumbing connections, thus facilitating installation.

Due to the open space at the rear of the base below flange 30 .and through the use of machines which can be serviced from the rear, a minimum space rearwardly of the base is required. Thus, adjacent rows of machines may be mounted on two bases placed back to back, as in FIG. 3, with as little as lil inches of space between them for servicing.

The washers utilized are conveniently of the front loading type, access to which is facilitated by supporting the washers above the floor. Such washers, as shown in outline in FIG. 4, are conveniently provided with a ledge 66 at the front, which normally provides toe space at the front, but more than adequate toe space is provided .beneath outwardly inclined, front wall i2. Such washers also are conveniently provided with a rear ledge 67, which Vprovides clearance for the upward inclination of flange 39, as does ledge 66 for the ange 29. It will be understood, of course, that for other types of washers, the inclination iand proportions of ilanges 29 and 3i? may be varied to accommodate the same.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the objects hereinbefore set forth have been fulfilled to a marked degree. A washing machine base has been provided, on which a plurality of machines may be mounted, in a compact row. Single 'not and cold water pipes supply water to the washers and each pipe is disposed below a portion of the base to conserve space. The washers are placed above a drain pan which carries the used wash water from the washers, while the drain pan is securely supported from the lower portion of the base and, in turn, provides support for a plurality of spaced pads, on which the machines are readily and securely mounted. Advantageously, the machines are mounted at a convenient height for easier servicing and to facilitate loading and unloading by the customer. A pair of bases, on which may be mounted two rows of machines, may be placed back to back with a small space between but providing adequate clearance for servicing. An electrical raceway is mounted above and extends along the rear edge of the base, so that each washer may be easily and quickly connected to a source of electricity.

Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been illustrated'and described, it will be understood that various changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A base for a plurality of automatic washing machines, including a longitudinally extending drain pan to receive water discharged from said machines, a portion of said drain pan being inclined outwardly and upwardly; means for supporting said drain pan at an elevated position; hot water supply means extending generally along said base, beneath said inclined portion of said pan for supplying hot water to said machines; cold water supply means extending along said base, beneath said inclined portion of said pan and adjacent said hot water supply means, for supplying cold water to said machines; and means mounted on said drain pan for supporting said Washing machines above said drain pan.

2. A base as set forth `in claim 1, wherein said washing machine supporting means includes a plurality of spaced pads disposed longitudinally of said drain pan for supporting said machines above said base.

3. A base for a plurality of automatic washing machines, comprising lower front and rear walls; an upper front wall inclined upwardly and outwardly; end Walls extending upwardly to the upper edge of said front wall; a drain pan having an obtusely angled bottom extending longitudinally between said end walls and disposed above said lower Walls, front and rear sides extending upwardly from said bottom, front and rear inclined flanges extending forwardly and rearwardly, respectively, from the upper edges of said sides, said front flange being attached to said upper front wall and said rear flange having a rearwardly inclined lip at the upper edge thereof; a series of upwardly inclined members supporting said drain pan and attached to the outside of said drain pan sides and to the inside of said front and rear lower walls; spaced brackets attached to the inside of said lower rear wall at positions between said supporting members; horizontally disposed, hot and cold water pipes mounted on said bracket means below said rear ange of said drain pan; and upright standards supported by said brackets and in turn supporting a horizontally disposed electrical raceway at a position spaced above said rear lip.

4. A base as set forth in claim 3, wherein said bottom of said drain pan slopes toward one end of said base and is provided at such end with an opening; a discharge connection connected to the underside of said drain pan at said opening; and a series of washing machine supporting pads having ian upper ange and a central, downwardly extending web attached to the inside of said drain pan sides in spaced positions, the undersides of said upper flanges of said pads being inclined to correspond to the inclination of and resting on said drain pan flanges.

5. A base for a plurality of automatic washers, cornprising a drain pan having spaced end panels interconnected by spaced side panels and a bottom panel, said drain pan having flanges inclined outwardly from the upper edges of said side panels, and providing a space therebeneath; hot and cold water supply pipes extending longitudinally and disposed in the space beneath one of said iianges; means for supporting said drain pan; and a series of pads spaced longitudinally along the upper edges of said side panels and engaging said anges, for supporting said washers.

6. A base for a plurality of automatic washing machines, including a longitudinally extending drain pan to receive Water discharged from said machines, said drain pan having .a bottom and sides having outwardly and upwardly extending flanges; means for supplying hot and cold water to said washing machines disposed in the space beneath one of said anges; means including longitudinally spaced members, the upper portions of which are attached to the sides of said drain pan, for supporting said drain pan at an elevated position; and means mounted on said drain pan for supporting said washing machines above said drain pan.

7. A base for a plurality of automatic washers, comprising a drain pan having spaced end panels interconnected by spaced side panels and ia bottom panel; a lower Iframe having sides disposed beneath said side panels of said pan; a spaced series of upwardly extending brackets attached to each side of said fname and the corresponding side panel of said pan; and hot and cold water pipes extending along one series of brackets and mounted thereon, said water pipes having valves spaced therealong for connection to said Washers and the corresponding side panel of said pan having an upwardly and outwardly extending ange above said pipes.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 420,983 2/90 Basse 312-229 XR 1,404,365 1/22 Hackman 126-362 2,951,498'V 9/60 Carver 137--343 FOREIGN PATENTS 24,721 19/ 13 Great Britain.

ISADOR WEIL, Primary Examiner. 

1. A BASE FOR A PLURALITY OF AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES, INCLUDING A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING DRAIN PAN TO RECEIVE WATER DISCHARGED FROM SAID MACHINES, A PORTION OF SAID DRAIN PAN BEING INCLINED OUTWARDLY AND UPWARDLY; MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SAID DRAIN PAN AT AN ELEVATED POSITION; HOT WATER SUPPLY MEANS EXTENDING GENERALLY ALONG SAID BASE, BENEATH SAID INCLINED PORTION OF SAID PAN FOR SUPPLYING HOT WATER TO SAID MACHINES; COLD WATER SUPPLY MEANS EXTENDING ALONG SAID BASE, BENEATH SAID INCLINED PORTION OF SAID PAN AND ADJACENT SAID HOT WATER SUPPLY MEANS, FOR SUPPLYING COLD WATER TO SAID MACHINES; AND MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID DRAIN PAN FOR SUPPORTING SAID WASHING MACHINES ABOVE SAID DRAIN PAN. 